Frequently Asked Questions

covid-19 update: performances and theater operations

Performances and Cancellations

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker extended the stay-at-home order to May 30, 2020, in line with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Please see below for a list of cancellations and postponed engagements to date. If you have tickets to an upcoming HTP performance, a Harris Theater box office representative will contact you regarding the disposition of your tickets. We ask that all ticket holders consider converting their purchase to a tax-deductible donation to the Theater during this challenging time. If you know what you would like to do with your tickets now, or if you have questions about ticket donations, exchanges, or refunds, you may contact the box office at info@harristheaterchicago.org.

Music of the Baroque: Á La Francaise – canceled; please direct questions to Music of the Baroque at 312.551.1414

Desi Dance: LEGENDS – canceled

Roosevelt University’s CCPA Symphony Orchestra – canceled

Chicago Humanities Festival – postponed

Ballet Chicago – postponed

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago: Boundless – canceled

CSO MusicNOW: Sounds from the Future: Musicians of the AACM – canceled

Chicago Philharmonic: Aretha: A Tribute – canceled

Theater OperationsFollowing Governor Pritzker’s stay-at-home order, the Theater will be closed to the public through May 30, 2020. During this time, all full-time Theater staff will be working remotely in the interest of public health and in line with recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and city and state officials.

The box office will operate during normal hours (Monday-Friday, 12-5pm) by phone and online only. While you may reach the box office by phone during those hours at 312.334.7777, a high volume of calls may lead to long wait times. The best way to reach the box office is by email at info@harristheaterchicago.

Preventive Steps Against COVID-19In addition to the operational updates above, the Theater’s maintenance and cleaning team have practiced the latest measures in disease control and prevention based on WHO and CDC guidance. Since December 2019, they have been using EPA-certified, hospital-grade disinfectants as recommended by the CDC on all building surfaces and touchpoints (i.e. counters, handrails, door knobs, elevator buttons, restrooms etc.) to help control the spread of viruses, including influenza and Coronavirus.

We encourage everyone to take this unprecedented public health situation seriously, and to follow guidelines for social distancing and hygiene in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. For more information, visit the CDC website.

__________________________________________________________________________________________HOW DO I ACCESS THE HARRIS THEATER?

Our lobby entrance is located at 205 E Randolph on Upper Randolph (street level). If you park in the Millennium Park Garage, please take the parking garage elevators to the street level (Level 7) of the garage, exit, and take a left on Randolph to enter through our street level doors at 205 E. Randolph. We recommend dropping off any members of your party with limited mobility at the street level entrance before parking.

WHERE DO I PICKUP/PURCHASE TICKETS?All box office services are located at the street level entrance. Please note, scanning of performance tickets for entrance to the Harris Theater lobbies are also on our street level. Box office services are available prior to having tickets scanned. Please be prepared to show an ID when picking up will call tickets.

Patrons utilizing print-at-home ticketing can bring a print-out of the ticket or use the PDF attachment on your mobile device. We recommend taking a screenshot of your ticket(s) to avoid connectivity issues. The email with your tickets has the subject line “Your Print at Home Ticket from Harris Theater.”

All ticket holders must have their performance ticket in-hand or on their mobile device to gain access to the Harris Theater lobbies. If you have purchased multiple tickets, please plan accordingly — distribute tickets to your party in advance or have your entire party present at the lobby entrance.

Does the Harris Theater offer parking validation?

Discounted parking validation for Millennium Park Garage is available at the Harris Theater Orchestra level box office for all ticket holders prior to curtain, during intermission, or following all performances. With validation, parking in Millennium Park Garage is only $20 for up to six hours allowing you ample time to attend the performance and enjoy a meal at one of the local restaurants. Rates are subject to change at the sole discretion of Standard Parking.

Is there an ATM close by?

There is an ATM in the parking garage lobby on level 1 of the theater (level 2.5 of the parking garage), managed by Standard Parking. ATMs are located across the street from the Theater at the AON Center and in Millennium Park at the Park Grill.

Can I easily find a taxi from the theater?

Our location near Michigan Avenue ensures that you will find taxis with relative ease. There is also a taxi stand across the street from the Harris Theater.

When should I arrive?

We strongly encourage you to arrive at least a half hour prior to curtain. This will provide you with plenty of time to park your vehicle, pick up your tickets and use the facilities. If you find yourself with more time, you may visit the Guthman Gallery on the Orchestra level and enjoy the concessions up to an hour prior to curtain without feeling rushed.

We try our best to begin all concerts on time. Late seating policies vary from performance to performance based on the desire of the performing Company and the Harris Theater Front of House Manager. Some Companies do not allow late arrivals. In some instances, to help reduce distracting noises during the performances, Companies will designate pauses in the program when late arrivals will be able to be seated. If you arrive late, you can listen to the concert over the monitors in the Theater lobbies. However, we recommend that you wait close to your seating area’s entrance so that we can seat you as soon as the pause occurs. Unfortunately, some concerts have no late seating. If you have to leave a concert before its end, please do so between program works. Readmission is not always guaranteed.

How long is a typical performance?

Program length varies, but a typical performance lasts about two hours, including one intermission. Most other events run about the same length, some a little shorter, some a little longer. You can always call us at 312.334.7777 for an estimated length.

What Can I bring into the theater?

For the
comfort, safety, and security of all patrons, the Harris Theater requests that
patrons arrive early and travel light as you may be subject to search. We ask
that our guests avoid bringing unnecessary items to the venue.

The following
items are permitted inside the theater: Small clutch bags, approximately the
size of a hand but no larger than 12” x 6” x 12”. An exception will be made for
medically necessary items after proper inspection.

The following
items may be prohibited inside the theater: briefcases, backpacks, luggage of
any kind, computer bags, camera bags, containers, packages or any purses and
bag larger than the permissible size.

Management
reserves the right to impose bag check at their sole discretion, as well as
inspect, search or seize any item carried into the Harris Theater. Violators
will be denied access or evicted at management’s discretion.

Cellphones are permitted in the theater, but the use of cellphones during the performance is strictly prohibited. Violators will be removed from the venue.

Can I take pictures?

Unfortunately, the use of cameras, cellphones, as well as other recording devices are not permitted in the Theater.

Can I bring my children?

All persons entering the venue, including babes in arms, must have a ticket. Please carefully consider whether a performance is appropriate for your child. Generally, children eight years old and over are welcome but depends on the performance. There are a number of family programs throughout the season which may be appropriate for younger children. You may inquire with the box office about age appropriateness for particular programs.

Please be aware that disruptive patrons, including children, will not be allowed to remain in the theater.

What programs are playing at the Pritzker Pavillion?

Although we are adjacent to the outdoor concert venue in Millennium Park, our box office does not sell tickets for these events. For the most up to date information on events at the Pritzker and throughout the park please visit millenniumpark.org or call the Welcome Center at 312.742.2963.

Why does the Harris Theater charge a handling fee?

Unlike most commercial venues, the non-profit Harris Theater does not take a percentage of the ticket revenue. All ticket revenue from box office and web sales is given to the companies performing at the theater. The handling fee ensures that the Harris is able to support a full-time box office including staff, software, equipment, postage and web services for the companies without increasing the companies’ rent at the theater. For more information about the mission of the Harris Theater please visit our About the Harris Theater page.

Can I refund my tickets if I’m no longer able to attend the performance?

The Harris Theater does not accept refunds for performance tickets.

Tickets may be donated for shows presented by the Harris Theater in the Harris Theater Presents, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Family, MIX at SIX, or Beyond the Aria performance series as a tax-deductible contribution. To donate your tickets, please call the Box Office at 312-334-7777 or visit in person. You can make this tax-deductible donation any time up to two hours prior to the performance.